Hypertension

What medications are there for hypertension?

You’ll only get hypertension medication if your blood pressure is really high, or if you’re at risk of developing further issues.

You’ll usually be advised to make healthy lifestyle changes first, such as eating less salt, stopping smoking, drinking less caffeine, cutting down alcohol and exercising more. If you are prescribed a medicine to help lower your blood pressure, you’ll still need to do these things to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.

There are five main types of treatments prescribed for hypertension.

Diuretics (chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide)

Diuretics help your kidneys remove the extra fluid and salt from your body through urine.

By removing excess water from your blood, the volume of blood decreases, so less force is needed to move the blood, resulting in lower blood pressure.

Beta-blockers (atenolol, metoprolol)

These medicines make the heart beat slower to lower blood pressure. They block the effects of hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline in the body, which often cause heart palpitations, stress, high blood pressure, and excessive sweating.

It also helps widen blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily.

Calcium channel blockers (amlodipine, diltiazem)

Calcium channel blockers relax your blood vessels, helping to widen them. This reduces the force needed to push blood around your body, which helps lower blood pressure.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (lisinopril, ramipril)

Commonly known as ACE inhibitors, they help enlarge or dilate the blood vessels so blood can pass through more easily, which helps reduce blood pressure.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (valsartan, losartan)

Known as ARBs, these drugs work as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors). They relax the blood vessels to lower blood pressure.

Is there a ‘best’ treatment for hypertension?

The ‘best’ treatment for hypertension will largely depend on how high your blood pressure is and your personal health needs. If your blood pressure is not excessively high, then the best treatment will be to exercise more and eat healthier.

If you need treatment, then this can be a very individual thing – some people can control their blood pressure with just one medication along with lifestyle changes, while others may need a combination of treatments.

You’ll normally have your blood pressure monitored regularly if you’re on treatment, so a clinician can suggest tweaks if needed.

So really, the best treatment is the one that’s most effective for you.

What you’re recommended can depend on several factors, such as your age, medical history, and preference. For example, if you're under 55, you'll usually be offered an ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin-2 receptor blocker (ARB).

Does hypertension always need treatment?

No, hypertension doesn’t always need treatment. Sometimes, a few lifestyle changes can help to keep it under control. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, having a healthy diet, reducing stress, and avoiding smoking and alcohol can all lower high blood pressure.

Hypertension is a dangerous health condition and often shows no symptoms. So it’s always a good idea to get your blood pressure checked regularly. Consulting a clinician and taking advice is recommended. They can examine your medical history and, if lifestyle changes alone haven’t worked for you, suggest the right treatment.